What to do When Ingredients Look Worn Out

Do the products that you need right away have a sad and sorry look? This is how you can give them another chance in just a few seconds.

If biscuits or crackers are soft, cover them with a sheet of paper towel and put them in the microwave for 1 minute.

When sliced ham dries out, soak the slices in milk to soften them.

If your butter seems a bit rancid or you’re not sure if it’s rancid, simply insert a piece of carrot in it for 1 or 2 hours: it should lose its unpleasant taste. If that doesn’t work and you’re short of butter, beat some thick cream in the blender with a few ice cubes. Pour off the liquid, leaving butter that you can use for most of your cooking needs.

There’s nothing worse than floppy salad, but vegetables and lettuce will revive if you soak them in water mixed with vinegar (1 tablespoon of vinegar to 2 cups of water).

If the edges of some lettuce leaves you were planning to use are starting to go brown, the lettuce is no longer good enough to be served fresh. Instead, cook it as you would a vegetable, by stir-frying it quickly in a pan with a little garlic, olive oil and salt.

When bread is stale, moisten it lightly with water or milk and put it in a hot oven (not a microwave oven) for around 10 minutes.